Academic Excellence

Rimu Homework Challenge #2

AS. Improve your study skills: Research Rimu- where do you find it? Why is

it important to Māori? What uses does it have? Why is Rimu the best tree in

the school?

Rimu

Dacrydium Cupressinum

Rimu is a large tree that thrives in our New Zealand forests. It grows throughout the North island, South island and Stewart island.

Rimu is a slow-growing tree, eventually reaching a height of up to 50 m, although most surviving large trees are 20 to 35 m tall. It has a lifespan up to 800 to 900 years. The straight trunk of the rimu is generally 1.5 m in diameter, but may be bigger  in old or very tall specimens.

Historically, Rimu and other native trees such as kauri, matai and totara were the main sources of wood for New Zealand. The inner bark of a Rimu tree can be used to treat burns, cuts and used as medicine. The maori used Rimu wood to make boats, carvings and houses. They also used the trees gum to start fires.

Rimu is the best tree in the school because it outgrows all the trees in the native New Zealand forest and sertinal outlives them all and a Rimu tree is used for many useful things, such as medicine, boats and houses.